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GIVEAWAY: The Queen’s Governess

Everyone knows who Anne Boleyn was, but who was Kat Ashley? In The Queen’s Governess by Karen Harper, we read Kat’s “memoir” of the four decades she spent in the royal courts of the Tudor monarchs. How does this strong and intelligent young woman, born the daughter of a poor country squire, manage to secure an education and a place in a noble household as a teenager, despite even a murderous stepmother?

In this portrait of the courts of Henry VIII, Mary Tudor, and Elizabeth I, Kat is eye-witness and victim to the fate of women in this historical era. There, women had no rights then without the protection of rich fathers or husbands. And this was even true of the King’s wives who did not produce male heirs or only had female children, or were barren – with legendary consequences.

We at Wonders & Marvels have five copies of The Queen’s Governess as our giveaway. To enter, simply comment in response to this question by 11:59 p.m. EST March 14, 2010:

Which wife of Henry VIII are you most sympathetic to?

Good luck! (Sorry, at this time, we can only mail books to U.S. winners.)

Soft spot for Anne Boleyn. She played her cards so well and still ended up with a losing hand. And to be accused of having an affair with your brother … what an insult on top of the execution sentence!

I actually feel sorry for both Anne Boleyn and Catharine of Aragon. For this moment, I’ll focus on Catharine. Catherine is brought to England to marry Arthur who dies. Then marries Henry, endures multiple pregnancies, one child survives – a girl, and forced to stand aside while Henry marries Anne Boleyn in the hopes (amongst other reasons) of securing a male heir. I just can’t imagine the loneliness and despair she must have felt throughout her time at the English Court especially during her final years as Queen.

I’m in Europe, but will comment anyway just to say Kateryn Parr. Her influence on Elizabeth I was truly profound, and there is a serious case to be argued that, without Parr, Elizabeth I would not have evolved, as she did, into the iconic Virgin Queen. Parr is often overlooked in the history books – but her humanist education, radical reformist activity in the sphere of printing, and her grasp of the powerful propagandic value of portraiture all enabled Elizabeth to rise to the challenge of the monarchy and survive.

What an interesting character to focus on. I love Karen Harper’s work. I too have a soft spot for Anne because I think she was so close to playing the game right and it became a very deadly one that she ended up playing. Thanks for the giveaway!

I would have to say Catherine of Aragon. She and Henry were married twenty something years before he dumped her for Anne and he split from the church she loved as well. It must have been so confusing and devastating.

I feel like katherine Howard was extremely too young, it was all a set-up and she did’tn even know, but i think henry should had more mercy for her because she was young.but it also plays a part on her because she was’tn bought up right such as education manner wise and it would be impossible for her to keep up with court and her ladies, her ladies pretty much told her what to do plus her best friend from the past came back as a blackmail. so she had so much going on, it was’tn going to last long for her

I feel the most for Cathrine of Aragon. She did her duties even turning her head as her King bedded other women from her court at that. She got a raw deal, and for what a woman who destroyed King Henry VIII.

i am most sympathetic to katherine howard she was so young and brought the king so much joy he was old and couldnt do much in the bedroom aspect but yet she did it all and if i had been her i would have an affair too sorry king henry lol